About the cruise
The history and daily life of Norway’s modern capital is inextricably linked by sea, and what better way could there be to approach Oslo, than by ship? See Heyerdahl’s famous Kon Tiki raft, admire the sculptures in Vigeland Park or take a tranquil cruise around the islands of Oslo. Along Karl Johan’s Gate, the main street, sample delicious Smorgasbord open sandwiches and sip a cold beer. Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark is an elegant city, rich in culture and tradition. From castles and crown jewels, galleries and museums to cathedrals and canals, you will be enchanted. Admire the sights as you glide along the city’s waterways and be sure to visit Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘Little Mermaid’ sculpture. Visby is a living world heritage site with a unique charm. With its ruins, medieval architecture and narrow cobbled streets you will find it a delight to visit.
Stockholm is a wonderful city to explore, an elegant tapestry of canals and lakes woven around 14 separate islands. A city of remarkable beauty, it has numerous parks, tree-lined squares and boulevards as well as pleasant water vistas. For years, Helsinki was an outpost of the Russian Empire but these days it is staunchly Finnish, proud of its impressive traditional architecture and buzzing with stylish cafés and restaurants. Highlights of the city include Senate Square, the Esplandai and the small, but rather interesting, market place.
Spend two days next in St. Petersburg’s imposing grandeur, offering an intriguing glimpse into Russia’s imperial past. The main attractions include The Hermitage Museum, which houses one of the world’s greatest art collections. In the evening, treat yourself to a night at the ballet or folkloric performance. The Baltic port of Travemunde, known as the ‘Gateway to the Baltic’, is an ideal starting point for a visit to Hamburg, lying 70 miles inland on the banks of the Elbe River. With a magnificent harbour right in its city centre, Hamburg is a great place to visit for striking architecture, splendid art and cosmopolitan shopping. Gothenburg is a large, bustling, but very friendly Swedish city with parks and gardens galore, and there is a great array of cafés and restaurants in the city centre. Arrive back in Southampton on Sunday 3 August.